Particle board is cheaper, denser and more uniform than conventional wood and plywood and is substituted for them when cost is more important than strength and appearance.

Veneer is very thin wood, cut from the trunk. Veneer is much cheaper than solid wood. Veneer is cut or peeled into very thin layers, the trunk is almost entirely used with very few excess parts are left off.

Plywood is used in many applications that need high-quality, high-strength sheet material.